Source: Shaheed Murtada Mutahhari, The Narrative of Veracious, Vol.2, STORY
NO.116, p.150-153
Although his father, mother and all relatives were Christians and even he
himself was of that religion, Zakraiyyã, the son of Ibrãhim from some time ago
felt an inclination towards Islam. His soul and conscious called him to Islam.
In the end, contrary to the wish of his father, mother and relatives, he
embraced Islam and submitted to the Islamic principles.
The time of “Hajj” pilgirmage to Makkah arrived.
The young Zakraiyya left Kufah for setting out for Makkah. On the way, he went
to Imam Sãdiq (‘a) in Madinah, and narrated him (‘a) about his conversion, and
the Imam (‘a) asked him: “Which aspect of Islam drew your attention?”
He replied: “The least I can say is that the following words of the Almighty
Allah in the Holy Qur’ãn addressing the Holy Prophet (s) is applicable to me:
You did not know what the Holy Book was, nor what the faith was, but we made it
a light, guiding thereby whom We please of Our servants; most surely you show
the way to the right path.”1
The Imam (‘a): “I certify it; Allah has guided you.
The Imam said thrice: “0 Allah! Be his Guide!” Then he (‘a) added: “My son! At
present, ask me whatever question that you wish.”
The young man said: “My parents and family are all Christians; my mother is
blind. I am frequently associated with them at the dining—table. What is my duty
in this case?”
The Imam (‘a): “Do they consume pork?”
The young man: “No! 0 descendant of the Messenger of Allah! They never touch
pork.”
The Imam (‘a): “Nothing oppose to your relation with them.”
And he (‘a) added: “Take care of your mother! Act benevolently towards her while
she is alive. When she dies, do not deliver her corpse to anyone else. Take
personal responsibility of her funeral procession. Do not let anybody come to
know that you met me here. I will come to Makkah and by the grace of Allah, we
will meet each other in Mina.”
In Mina, the young man went to the Imam Sãdiq (‘a). There was a strange crowd
around the Imam (‘a). The people like the children who surround their teacher
were continiously and without cease putting on their questions which they
brought alongwith them and were receiving their answers promptly.
The pilgrimage time came to an end and the young man returned to Kufãh. He had
in mind the Imam’s recommendation, began to devote himself to his mother and did
not stop an instant treating his mother kindly. He fed her, combed her hairs and
changed her dress with his own hands. This sudden change noticed in the
behaviour of his son surprised the mother, particularly after his return from
Makkah.
One day, she asked: “Dear son! When you had our religious belief, and we both
were of one faith, you did not treat me so kindly? What happened to you! At
present although we both are not having the same faith and religion, you are
more affectionate towards me than you were before?”
—“My dear mother! A man of the descendants of our Holy Prophet (s) commanded me
to do so.
—“Is the man himself a prophet!”
—“No, he is not the prophet, but he is the son of the Prophet.”
—I believe, my son, that he is a prophet too, for such recommendations are made
by nobody else except the prophets.
—“No, mother! Be sure that he is not the prophet; he is the son of the prophet.
Basically, after our prophet there will be no other prophet born on this earth.
—“My dear son! Your religion is a very good religion; it is better than all the
religions. Present me your religion!”
The young man stated “Shahadatayn” the testimony of faith to his mother; she
then became a Muslim by reciting the Shahadatayn. The young man taught her blind
mother the canonical prayer. After having learnt it, she performed the zuhr,
noon, ‘asr, afternoon prayers; she could do her evening maghrib and isha, night
prayers too. In the night, her condition of health suddenly changed; she felt
ill and confined to bed. She called her son and said: “My dear son! teach me
once more those words that you have taught me before.”
The young man taught her again the “Shahadatayn” and the other principles of
Islam, that is to say, the belief in prophet, angles, the Divine Book, and the
day of the judgement. The mother uttered all that under the title of testimony
and confession and then breathed her last.
In the morning, the Muslims came for her funeral and ablution. It was his son,
Zakraiyya, who performed the funeral prayer and burned her with his own hands.1